Katie Cord is a publisher, writer, and nurse. She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her three rambunctious dogs and part time Bengal cat. In her free time, she likes to binge watch television series and spend time with her boyfriend, Timothy W. Long. Her first collection of short stories, He Left Her at the Altar, She Left Him to the Zombies is available on Amazon. Her next book, Maxine will be out Fall 2015. You can find other short stories by her in GIVE: An Anthology of Anatomical Entries from When the Dead Books and Genus Loci from Ragnarok Publications.

The Interview

What do you do when you’re not writing about the end of days or things that go bump in the night?

I’m currently in a graduate program studying communications, work full time as a nurse, helping others publish their work, and when all that is not going on, I cuddle up on my couch with Timothy W. Long. We love to power watch Netflix and talk about writing.

Tell me about your latest book, something unusual if possible.

MAXINE builds up as though it is a standard supernatural love triangle where the homely girl gets fawned over. That simply isn’t true. I think the ending of the book is a smack in the face to the typical YA love novel. The reviews seem to agree.

Maxine Blurb & Cover

In the post-apocalyptic community of McCarthy, Colorado, shy chubby misfit Maxine Massachusetts or as she is more commonly known to her classmates, "Mess-a-shits-ett", struggles to fit into a uniform society based on patriotism and perfectionism. If being socially awkward and physically imperfect weren't enough, she has the highest intellectual rank in school which garners the unwanted attention of teachers and administrators.

But, when one of the most popular girls in school disappears and everyone including her best friends pretend she didn't exist, Maxine doesn't forget. She wants answers.To make matters worse, one swift smack across the face in gym class starts a transformation for Maxine from punching bag to beautiful monster. McCarthy will never be the same as Maxine struggles to unlock hidden truths while controlling her desire to devour everyone in her path.

Maxine Excerpt

"Penn, I don't know what you're doing, but seriously, you are making me sick with how much better you look than me!" Karlene Indiana said as she brushed her long, mousy brown hair.
"Karly, stop it," Ellen Pennsylvania said. She pulled her knee-high sock up, then folded it down. She paused, looking down at the shiny concrete floor.
She wasn't even sure why her skin was glowing brighter than normal, her hair was thicker, her nails longer, and her waist tapered in over the past weekend, giving her the perfect hourglass figure. She slipped her oxfords on, trying to forget. She didn’t like focusing on her looks like Karlene, Marie, and Esther.
"I'm just saying. If you get any prettier, you'll be as big a freak as Mess-a-shit-etts over there." Karlene tilted her head towards a chubby shy girl who had stringy black hair. Ellen looked up to see the girl gawking at her.
"Hey perve, quit staring!" Karlene yelled.
"Gawd, I hate gym," Marie said as she walked around the lockers in just her bra and panties. She squinted her eyes at Ellen. There is something wrong with her, I just don't know what it is, she thought. Being pretty shouldn't freak everyone out this much.
As Ellen leaned down to tie her shoes, her world spun. She grasped the bench she'd been sitting on. "Whoa. I don't feel so good." She stood up and leaned on the lockers.
"Penn, do you want to go to the nurse?" Marie asked.
Ellen nodded.

"We don't know what happened, but Ellen doesn't feel good," Karlene said to the school nurse.
The stout, plain-faced nurse looked Ellen up and down. Then she turned back to her typewriter.
"Lay her over there, and then you're excused." The nurse continued to type. The girls assisted Ellen over to the medical cot.
"Can we wait with her? Please?" Marie whined.
"No, now go." The nurse glared at the girls.
The girls backed out of the office slowly, looking at one another as they went. They weren't used to the nurse acting like this.
"Shut the door behind you."
The girls obliged.
The nurse swiveled her chair around, stood up, and strode over to Ellen. She looked down at her and shook her head. "We had high hopes for you, kiddo."
Ellen groaned.
The nurse grabbed the phone.
"Ellen Pennsylvania is done."
She hung up the phone, proceeded to her locked cabinet and pulled out a pre-filled syringe.
Ellen rolled over and looked at her. "What're you doing?"
"Oh sweet girl, at least you got to be pretty."
The nurse leaned over and injected Ellen inthe arm.

What are you working on next and when can we expect it?

We are releasing three books from Evil Girlfriend Media this year, Rachel by Dobromir Harrison, Women In Practical Armor edited by Ed Greenwood and Gabrielle Harbowy, and Star Realms: Rescue Run by Jon Del Arroz. I’m working on Mad Maxine, but at the earliest it won’t be out until late 2017.

What makes you want to write about dystopia/the apocalypse and/or horror?

I’ve been reading dystopian, horror, apocalyptic, and science fiction since at the least fourth grade. In a weird way, it relieves anxiety for me. It is the exploration of the what ifs and sometimes makes reality a little more bearable. I find that sitting down and working out fears through horrible scenarios is one of the best stress relievers.

Are you a prepper with an apocalypse plan in place, or are you just going to wing it?

Well, I do know how to use a gun, I can grow my own food if I need to, and I have a solid foundation of medical/nursing knowledge. I also know how to filter water, start a fire, and am pretty good in a crisis. If you are asking if I have huge storage of food in my garage or a bunker. No. That would require me to clean out the garage. Who has time for that nonsense?

What’s your apocalypse/horror song?

Ack! I have so many. Depends on my mood. One of my favourites, Richard Cheese covering Down with the Sickness by Disturbed.

When writing do you outline or fly by the seat of your pants!?

In short stories, fly by the seat of my pants, fingers flying with keys popping off the keyboard. However, when writing Maxine, I had to outline, outline some more, then edit the outline. It takes a lot of discipline for me to write a full-length novel. I love writing short stories the best.

What was the last book you read, and what is the next one lined up?

​ I just finished reading Tim’s book, The Front. I’m a beta reader on his next one Impact Earth: Symbiosis. I’m re-reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. These are the current books on my Kindle that I’m reading little by little: The Wild Diet by Abel James, Jenny Undead by J.L. Murray, Shifting Borders by Jessie Kwak, and Justice Calling by Annie Bellet.

If you could collaborate with any other indie author, who would it be?

Oh gosh, there are several people that I’d love to collaborate with! First as a publisher, I would love to co-project something with Ragnarok Publications, Raw Dog Screaming Press, or Eraserhead Press. I would love write with Jennifer Brozek, Tonia Brown, Annie Walls, Chris Mars, Rena Mason, Christoph Paul, and I’m always game to write more with my sweetheart, Timothy W. Long.

I hope you enjoyed today's spotlight, be sure to head over to Amazon and give her a one-click.
Happy reading my little book whores! Your zombie loving Queen -Claire xxx

The Painted Mayhem anthology is a book where many of us authors came together to help raise funds for families that suffer with PTSD.
Author TJ Weeks gave us two themes...CLOWNS​ and HORROR...and then we were left to our own disgusting minds. The results are...well, you'll just have to read and see, but let me tell you that these stories come from some of the best horror minds currently out there, so I'd leave a light on while you read!

Also Check Out The Painted Mayhem T-Shirt
​(Available For A Limited Time Only)

Purchase Link

Happy freaking Tuesday!
There's a new book on the block - CHRONOLOGY OF THE APOCALYPSE - and it's written by some of my favourite people. There are some amazing zombie shorts in this anthology, written by some amazingly talented people. One-click away and thank me later ;-)

From a few tiny microbes to the vastness of outer space...
from patient zero to the very last human...
Chronology of the Apocalypse explores multiple perspectives and delivers stories from a multitude of universes. Arranged and presented by the one commonality they all share... they all happened "once upon a time"

Interview With One Of The Featured Writers: Lindy Spencer

Lindy Spencer: Killing people legally since 2012, and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon. I live in Oklahoma with Amazing Husband and Super Smart Dog. When I’m not writing I can usually be found reading, riding motorcycles, or shooting things with a Canon.

Alcohol. Jeff Clare tagged me in, and when he did I had a margarita in my hand and it sounded like a great idea. Fast forward to now… it was definitely a great idea! I’m surrounded by some real talent and very excited to be a part of this anthology.

What is the title of your story and what is it about?

My story is called Gone Viral — Again. It takes place a few weeks after the first outbreak and follows along with characters from the original story, Gone Viral, which is published in ATZ’s The Gathering Horde anthology. College students are trying to figure out what causes the virus and how they can stop it. My story is written in the comedy genre.

What do you do when you’re not writing about the end of days or things that go bump in the night?

Spending time with the kids, their spouses, and the grands. I also find time to read, ride motorcycles with Amazing Husband, shoot things with a Canon. You know, the usual hobbies.J

What makes you want to write about dystopia/the apocalypse and/or horror?

Writing these things gets them out of my brain and onto paper where others can enjoy my thought processes.

Are you a prepper with an apocalypse plan in place, or are you just going to wing it?

I’ve got a loose plan in place. That plan includes letting Amazing Husband take the lead, since he’s got a more serious plan in place. If the apocalypse happens, I’m thinking we’ll be just fine!

What’s your apocalypse/horror song?

Uhhhhh….. apocalypse, not so sure, but horror would totally be the theme song from Halloween.

When writing do you outline or fly by the seat of your pants?

Some stories I start with a general outline, but the characters usually spin off and out of control so I seldom end up following it. More often than not, I let the story go where it wants.

What was the last book you read, and what is the next one lined up?

The last story I read is called Corrections, and is in the PePr collection by Ann Christy. Next up, Goddess Legacy, the first book in the series by M.W. Muse and Mandy Harbin. This one is a young adult/new adult story.

If you could collaborate with any other indie author, who would it be?

E.J. Rycer. She writes murder mysteries from the police viewpoint. I’d love to collaborate with her and write the story from the murderer’s point of view. That would be fun!